Applicator with cap closed valves



Dec. 5, 1967 e. SCHWARTZMAN APPLICATOR WITH CAP CLOSED VALVES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 18, 1965 INVENTOR. 624 86!?!" .fZwwmerz/mv Dec. 5, 1967 e. SCHWARTZMAN 3,356,441

APPLICATOR WITH CAP CLOSED VALVES Filed Aug. 18, v1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 6 E J2v/M9er United States Patent 3,356,441 APPLICATOR WITH CAP CLOSED VALVES Gilbert Sehwartzman, 20 Wilmot Circle, Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583 Filed Aug. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 480,663 4 Claims. (Cl. 401-206) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A fluid applicator comprising an applicator having a web and a resilient cover over the web. A raised rib 18 provided on the Web surrounding an opening therein and an upwardly extending valve seat is provided on the web surrounding the opening. A valve member having a plurality of resilient fingers and a plurality of downwardly depending feet. The feet extend through the opening in the web. The valve member includes a valve head engageable with the valve seat with the resilient fingers normally urging the valve head away from the valve seat and against the cover. A cap is provided having means thereon for engaging the cover to depress the cover and the valve head to cause the valve head to engage the valve seat.

This invention relates particularly to applicators having cap closed valves which are adapted for use in applymg medications, cosmetics, polish, paints, ink and other like fluids of various viscosities to appropriate surfaces.

An object of this invention resides in the provision of means for continuous fluid delivery to facilitate the application of medication, polish and the like to a surface.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of an applicator having valve means actuated by a cap which valve means will normally remain open when the cap is removed.

A further object of this invention is to provide for a constant flow of fluid from the applicator to a surface while also providing for a leakproof, spill proof package With a minimum of moving parts. I

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of an applicator which is inexpensive to manufacture and is especially adapted for use in applying shoe polish, medications, cosmetics, oils, polishes and the like, and which applicator maybe made in any convenient size out of readily available materials.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are obtained by these applicators, preferred embodiments of which have been illustrated in the'accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded vertical sectional view of an embodiment of the invention in an applicator showing the component parts thereof including the cap, the valve assembly and the container;

FIG. 2 is a sectional detail view taken along the plane of line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG; 3'is a sectional detail view of the assembled applicatorwith the valve assembly in a closed position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional detail view of a modified applicator very similar to the applicator shown in FIG. 1 andillustrated in operational condition with the cap in a.

loosened position and with the valve open;

FIG. 5 is a sectional detail view of a modified embodiment of the invention with the valve in the open position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view of portions of the applicator head as illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the applicator shown in FIG. 5 with the cap in position on the container showing the valve in the closed position;

62 of the container neck 24 the downwardly depending" 3,356,441 Patented Dec. 5, 1967 ICC FIG. 8 is an enlarged detaii sectional view of the applicator head as seen in FIG. 7, with the valve in the closed position.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the valve assembly in the open portion taken along the plane of line 9-9 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the valve assembly in the open position;

FIG. 11 is an exploded sectional view of a further modified type of applicator with the Valve in the open position;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the web taken along the plane of line 1212 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the applicator illustrated in FIG. 11 with the cap in position on the container with the valve in the closed position;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the applicator head seen in FIG. 11 along the plane of line 14-14 with portions of the head partially broken away to reveal the interior; and, a

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the applicator illustrated in FIG. 11 in an inverted position showing the passage of fluid through the web.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 20 is used to generally designate an embodiment of an applicator constructed in accordance with the concepts of the present invention. A container 22 of the desired size is provided with a hollow neck portion 24 with screw threads 26 formed on the outside thereof.

The valve assembly 26 includes a domed web portion 28 having a central aperture 30 formed therein. Along the lower portion of the aperture 30 there is an inwardly extending shoulder or valve seat 32. The web 28 has extending downwardly therefrom a projecting portion 34 located inwardly from the outer periphery of the web below 7 the upper surface thereof forming a shoulder 36 on the web which is adapted to lie against and abut the uppermost edge 38 of the neck 24 of the container. The projecting portion 34 is formed with an inwardly swaged end portion 40. A valve member 44 provided with cruciformshaped lower portion 45" is provided which has an enlarged hemispherically shaped valve head 46. The cruciform-shaped lower portion45 is sized to fit within and between the aperture 30 and the shoulder 32 and extends downwardly beyond the lower surface of the web 28. The enlarged hemispherically shaped head 46 is sized to fit within the aperture 30 so that the lower edge 48 of the hemispherically-shaped head 46 will abut the shoulder 32 within the aperture 30 when the valve head is depressed. The lowermost portion 45 of the valve 44 is connected to a disc 47 to which a helical spring 50 is secured, the lowermost edge of which is adapted to rest against the inwardly swaged end portion 40 of the downwardly projecting portion 34 and is maintained therein. The spring 50 may be of plastic and integrally molded with the valve member 44. The mold would necessarily have the required undercut.

. A cap 54 is provided with screw threads 56 therein. Centrally located about the center of the cap is a downwardly depending valve closure extension 56 having a hemispherical cavity 58 formed therein. Extending through the cap 54 from a point centrally located in the cavity 58 is an opening 60 through which the fluid will pass to an appropriate receiving surface during use. The cap 54 can be made Without the opening 60, so that when such cap is removed, the applicator can be used as a normally open valve controlled flow device for direct application of fluids.

When the cap 54 is tightened on the screw threads valve closure means 56 and the hemispherical dome formed by cavity 58 contacts the hemispherical head 46 of the cruciform valve 44 causing the valve 44 to be driven downwardly against the force exerted by the helical spring 50 until the lower surface 48 of the valve head 46 is seated against the valve seat or shoulder 42 thereby creating the seal. It is to be noted that stop means may be provided on the container neck 24 or the cap 60 so as to prevent the complete removal of the cap 60 from the neck 24 of the container if this is so desired.

In FIG. 4 there is shown further stop means 65 which prevent deformation of the web 28.

In order to use the applicator the user partially removes the cap 54 by unscrewing the same part Way thereby causing the spring 50 to raise the valve 44 off the valve seat 32, thereby allowing fluid to pass the cruciform lower portion 45 between the valve 44 and the aperture 30 and out the opening 60.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIGS. through there is seen an applicator which is generally designated as 120. A container having a hollow neck 122 is provided with screw threads 124. The applicator head 126 is formed having a web 128 and is provided with a downwardly projecting portion 130. The applicator head 126 is designed to fit in the neck 222 of the container and includes a flange 132 which is provided with a swaged lip 134 for retaining an applicator cover 130 in position between the lip 134 and a circular raised rib 138. The applicator surface is formed of two layers, the upper layer 140 of nylon knitted brushed fabric or the like so as to achieve a felt like applicator surface and appearance, While having the chemical inertness and strength of nylon. A lower layer 142 which may be laminated or bonded to the upper layer 140 is of coarse polyurethane foam or the like which material is porous so as to allow the passage of fluid therethrough.

The web 128 has an opening 150 of generally circular configuration located centrally therein. An upwardly raised valve seat 152 having an arcuate surface is provided on the upper surface of the web 128 adjacent and surrounding the peripheral edges of the opening 150.

A valve member generally designated as 156 is provided which is formed with a plurality of resilient fingers 158 which extend annularly and when in an unstressed condition will seek to attain a curved attitude. Extending downwardly from the lower surface of the valve member are a plurality of feet 160 which are integrally formed with the cone-shaped valve head 162. The feet 160 are adapted to extend through the central opening 150 of the web 128 so as to maintain the valve assembly 156 in an upright, movable position located above the web 128. The solid cone-shaped valve head 162 is provided with a bevelled surface 157 cooperative with valve seat 152. There is a cavity 164 in the valve head 162.

A cap 168 having internal screw threads 170 is adapted to be removably secured to the neck 122 of the container. Centrally located about the center of the cap 168 is a downwardly depending valve closure extension 172 having a lower surface 174.

When the cap 168 is secured upon the screw threaded neck 122 of the container the downwardly depending valve closure extension 172 abuts and depresses the upper layer 140 and the lower layer 142 of the applicator surface compressing the same together and simultaneously exerting a downward force on the valve head 162 which in turn causes the valve member 156 to assume a flattened attitude. As the cap is further tightened on the screw threads of the neck 122 the lower peripheral levelled edge 157 engages the valve sea-t 152 thereby closing the opening and preventing the flow of fluid from the container body past the valve. Shoulder means 174 on the cap 168 are adapted to abut the swaged lip 134 of the applicator head when the seal has been completed thereby preventing over tightening of the cap 168 on the neck 122. The fingers 158 will slide between valve seat 152 and the rib 138.

When the cap 168 is removed in order to use the applicator the resilient curved fingers 158 of the valve assembly 156 raise the cone-like member 162 upwardly so that the central ring 157 raises from the valve seat 152 thereby opening the valve and allowing the passage of fluid through the opening in the web 128 when the applicator is inverted.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 through 15 there is seen a third embodiment of fluid applicator which is generally designated at 220. A container is provided which has a hollow neck 222 having external screw threading 224 on the outer surface thereof. The applicator head 226 is formed having a web portion 228 and which is provided with a downwardly projecting portion 230. The applicator head 226 has a flange 232 which is provided with an inwardly swaged lip 234 along its upper periphery for retaining an applicator cover 236 in position between the lip 234 and a raised rib 238 Which is of a circular configuration. The applicator cover 236 is formed of two layers, an upper or outer layer 240 of a brushed nylon knitted fabric or the like and a lower layer 242 which is comprised of a coarse porous polyurethane foam or the like which is bonded or laminated to the upper layer 242 and allows the passage of fluid therethrough. The web portion 228 is formed with an upwardly extending valve stud 246 which has a bevelled upper surface 248. A plurality of openings 252 are formed in the web 228 outwardly of the valve stud 246 and inwardly of the raised rib 238. A hemispherically shaped disc 258 of a flexible resilient material is located within the raised rib 238, over the valve stud 246 beneath the applicator surface 242. The disc 258 is provided with an aperture 260 formed centrally therein which aperture is located directly above and in alignment with the valve stud 246. The aperture 260 is of a greater circumference than the narrowest portion of the bevelled upper edge 248 of the valve stud and is of a smaller circumference than the widest portion of the valve stud 246.

A cap 268 having screw threads 270 provided therein is adapted to be removably secured to the neck 222 of the container. Centrally located about the center of the cap is a downwardly depending valve closure extension 272 having a lower surface 274.

When the cap 268 is secured upon the screw threaded hollow neck 222 of the container the downwardly depend-- ing valve closure extension 272 abuts and depresses the upper layer 240 and the lower layer 242 of the applicator surface, compressing the same together and simultaneously exerting a downward force on the hemispherically shaped resilient disc 258 thereby temporarily deforming the resilient disc 258 downward about its central portion and causing the aperture 260 to pass over the upper bevelled surface 248 of the valve stud 246 and to encircle the valve stud 246 thereby closing the closing or plugging the opening 260 and preventing any fluid spillage or leakage from the container.

When the cap 268 is removed in order to use the applicator the resilient disc 258 will spring back to its original attitude thereby opening the seal and allowing fluid to flow from the container to the applicator surface 236 when the applicator 220 is inverted. When the applicator 220 is inverted with the cap 268 removed the fluid from the container passes through the openings 252 and will be gravity fed through aperture 260 in the resilient disc 258 thereby saturating the applicator surface 236.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in Some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

I claim:

1. A fluid applicator comprising an applicator head having a web, a resilient cover secured to said applicator head, said web having a central opening therein, a raised rib on said web surrounding said opening and outwardly disposed with respect thereto, an upwardly extending valve seat on said web surrounding said central opening and extending about the periphery of said central opening and inwardly disposed to said rib, a valve member having a plurality of resilient fingers extending outwardly therefrom and a plurality of downwardly depending feet integrally formed with said valve member, said feet extending through said opening to retain said valve member 10 head away from said valve seat and against said cover, and 5 a cap having means thereon for engaging said cover to depress said cover and said valve head to cause said valve head to engage said valve seat.

2. A fluid applicator according to claim 1, wherein said feet are inwardly disposed from said valve seat.

3. A fiuid applicator according to claim 1, wherein said fingers are annularly disposed and slide between said 5 valve seat and said rib.

4. A fluid applicator according to claim 1 wherein said valve head is cone-shaped.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,281,887 11/1966 Raffe 15-569 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,114,904 12/1955 France.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

E. L. ROBERTS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A FLUID APPLICATOR COMPRISING AN APPLICATOR HEAD HAVING A WEB, A RESILIENT COVER SECURED TO SAID APPLICATOR HEAD, SAID WEB HAVING A CENTRAL OPENING THEREIN, A RAISED RIB ON SAID WEB SURROUNDING SAID OPENING AND OUTWARDLY DISPOSED WITH RESPECT THERETO, AN UPWARDLY EXTENDING VALVE SEAT ON SAID WEB SURROUNDING SAID CENTRAL OPENING AND EXTENDING ABOUT THE PERIPHERY OF SAID CENTRAL OPENING AND INWARDLY DISPOSED TO SAID RIB, A VALVE MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF RESILIENT FINGERS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM AND A PLURALITY OF DOWNWARDLY DEPENDING FEET INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH SAID VALVE MEMBER, SAID FEET EXTENDING THROUGH SAID OPENING TO RETAIN SAID VALVE MEMBER IN POSITION IN SAID WEB, SAID VALVE MEMBER, SAID FEET EXCLUDING A VALVE HEAD POSITIONED ABOUR SAID VALVE MEMBER AND BELOW SAID COVER AND BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID VALVE SEAT, SAID RESILIENT FINGERS NORMALLY URGING SAID VALVE HEAD AWAY FROM SAID VALVE SEAT AND AGAINST SAID COVER, AND A CAP HAVING MEANS THEREON FOR ENGAGING SAID COVER TO DEPRESS SAID COVER AND SAID VALVE HEAD TO CAUSE SAID VALVE HEAD TO ENGAGE SAID VALVE SEAT. 